AnonymousSource: Alpha Resource Center
Desirae Maier and Felisa Strickland have joined the Board of Directors for Alpha Resource Center of Santa Barbara. Both women were sworn in at the last virtual board meeting on June 24, 2020.
Felisa was introduced to Alpha Resource Center in 2012 after moving to Santa Barbara with her daughter, Lily. She became connected to the organization while on a trip in Sacramento doing advocacy work for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). She then became actively involved with the parent support groups at Alpha Resource Center and eventually became involved in the leadership team serving on the Governance Committee and most recently as an Alpha Representative for the Board of The ARC of California. Prior to becoming a full time parent advocate and caregiver to her daughter Lily, Felisa held a leadership position as District Sales Manager for Limited Brands for a little over ten years.
Desirae joins the board with five years of experience teaching special education in both the Santa Barbara and Carpinteria Unified School Districts. Desirae holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque and a Master of Education from University of California Santa Barbara. Desirae learned about the organization while providing respite support through UCSB’s Teacher Education Program, from an individual involved in Katie’s FUNd, Alpha’s recreation program for teens and young adults. She joined the leadership team serving on the Program Services Committee and eventually was invited to join the Board of Directors. Desirae will be attending UCSB in the fall to begin a doctorate program with a focus on special education, disabilities and risk studies.
Board President, Carol Kallman, is pleased to have two new directors join the board with such diverse experience and backgrounds in working with individuals with I/DD. She is confident that both Felisa and Desirae will have much to contribute and looks forward to working with them over the next few years.
Alpha Resource Center empowers individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout Santa Barbara County by supporting families, creating opportunities and fostering belonging. For more information visit www.alphasb.org or call (805) 683-2145.
